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Promoting Information and Communications for Development (IC4D)

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The IC4D blog explores the impact of information and communication technologies (ICT) on development, both directly and as an enabler for other sectors of the economy. It is a space to share ideas and experiences, and to inspire dialogue on new and innovative ways in which ICT can create opportunities in developing countries.

New publication on ICT convergence-strategies and regulation

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Fri, 2010-03-05 13:00

With my co-author, Rajendra Singh, I had written two reports in 2008 on the topic of ICT convergence. These reports have been compiled with an updated introduction and are now available as a book published by the World Bank. I will be happy to answer any questions through this blog. 

You may also browse through this book in its entirety by clicking on the preview at the bottom of the page.

Building broadband: Strategies and policies for the developing world

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Wed, 2010-01-06 12:59

With broadband becoming an important topic in ICT policy discussions, it seems like the right time to publish a new report on what strategies and policies might help countries boost broadband access and use.

With the generous funding of the Korean Trust Fund for Information and Communications for Development (IC4D), I along with co-authors Yongsoo Kim and Tim Kelly, have prepared a report that does just that. 

Digital TV transition. Now what?

Submitted by Arturo Muente-Kunigami on Mon, 2010-01-04 01:24

Many people think that the transition to digital television (DTV) is not an urgent need in developing countries. The argument is that in the case of Europe and the US, the existence of many broadcasting channels transmitting in UHF, high penetration of cable, and a strong demand for additional spectrum for wireless communications created a strong case for the migration.

Facilitate demand, you will

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Sun, 2009-12-13 20:14

What Jedi Grand Master Yoda might teach us about broadband*

A friend told me a while ago that a key reason why videocassette players and recorders (VCPs and VCRs) became a household phenomenon in the U.S. was the popularity of the Star Wars movie franchise. The first movie had its theatrical release in 1977. At that time, less than 1 percent of TV owning households in the U.S. had VCRs. By 1985, however, soon after Star Wars was released in VHS format, that number had risen to over 20 percent.

Broadband to the People

Submitted by Arturo Muente-Kunigami on Thu, 2009-12-10 03:41

The first country to declare broadband internet access a legal right was Finland back in October. A month later, Spain also guaranteed the legal right to broadband. Both countries have committed to make connections of at least 1Mbps available to every citizen at affordable prices by 2011.

Building broadband

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Sat, 2009-11-28 13:52

Lessons from the mobile revolution

The spread of the mobile telephone over the past decade has been nothing short of a revolution. According to market tracking firm Wireless Intelligence, in September 1999 there were about 340 million mobile telephone subscriptions worldwide. Ten years hence, that is less than the number of subscriptions in India or China alone, and worldwide the number has grown to 4.5 billion. There are valuable lessons from this revolution for the transformation we are hoping to see in broadband access and use.

A computer by any other name

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Fri, 2009-11-06 23:26

Blurring distinctions between computers and mobile telephones promise increased access

InfoDev Global Forum on Innovation and Enterpreneurship in Brazil

Submitted by Mohsen Khalil on Tue, 2009-11-03 09:39

I am very pleased to share with you that the infoDev Global Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Brazil last week was a great success.  There was over 1,000 participants from around the world with strong commitment of Brazilian officials.  The Governor of Santa Catarina was present throughout, during the press conference, the plenary sessions, the opening ceremony in addition to hosting a special dinner at his house for visiting delegations.  Several high level Brazilian officials, particularly from the Ministry of Science and Technology and related institutions,

Baley!*

Submitted by Siddhartha Raja on Fri, 2009-10-30 18:00

The impact of the mobile phone in Afghanistan

With the seemingly endless bad news coming out of Afghanistan, I would like to break the cycle and write about a success story that is the start of something good. This post is about the humble mobile telephone.